In the 20th Century, we preserved the land. In the 21st, let’s restore it.

Leadership

To fully engage the public and restore the land, the Forest Preserves must have more financial resources. Other forest preserve districts in northeastern Illinois counties invest more per acre and per capita in their land. And our property tax contributions in Cook County don’t measure up—per person or per acre—to the amounts neighboring counties devote to their preserves. The Forest Preserves’ track record of relatively low taxes, conservative spending and light debt load position them well to consider measures that will increase revenues.

Conservation management is a complex and long-term activity. Restoration investments made today will require continuous conservation expertise to pay off in the future. The president and board have an opportunity now to make systemic changes that can enable the forest preserves to flourish for many decades to come. But in order for the public to feel confident that a long-term investment will pay off with significant habitat and quality-of-life benefits, the Forest Preserves needs the advice and active participation of skilled conservation leaders who have a singular focus on the long-term ecological and financial health of the forest preserves.

SHOW ME THE GOALS & PROGRESS

LEARN MORE

Thanks to recent reforms and thoughtful leadership, the Forest Preserves’ operational efficiency is increasing. But to achieve this plan’s ambitious goals for a vibrant future, the agency needs additional resources and expert guidance.

GOAL 4 Priorities

MANAGE WITH EXCELLENCE, TRANSPARENCY AND SOUND FINANCIAL PRACTICE.

Use metrics and evaluation to align operations with plan and measure progress

Provide continuous conservation leadership

2020 Goal

Status

Details

The Council was established by ordinance in 2014 and convened in 2015. It will continue to meet through 2016.

MAXIMIZE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES AND USE THEM WISELY TO ACHIEVE THE VISION FOR FUTURE GROWTH AND RESTORATION.

Expand non-tax resources

2020 Goal

Launch a major fundraising campaign

Status

In progress

Details

Planning has begun, and the campaign will launch in 2016.

2020 Goal

Complete a districtwide concessions master plan

Status

Completed

Details

This plan has been published.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN THE FOREST PRESERVES

The Forest Preserves is in a good position to prepare a responsible financial plan to raise the funds needed to accomplish this vision. Compared to preserves in neighboring counties, total revenues are low, both per capita and per acre.

For example, this graph shows that Cook County’s taxpayers devote a much smaller share of their tax bill to their forest preserves than other counties.